Build a dedicated Audio PC

[tony]

Nige called today armed with his plethora of power supplies and WTG sticks. Core this gui that etc.

Had a good listen over the afternoon after spending a bit of time loading up another WTG stick with CAD script just to allow comparison tests between bought zuma's

Nigels has the edge. Running core with three independent power supplies to usb/chip and mobo with underclocked pc and underclocked ram. We couldn't get core to run on mine without going to the hassle of finding the inf file referenced by Pearse hence the reason to create a WTG to try and identify the reason for differences.

When tested again using the same operating system(WTG/Cad script) the only differences being Nigels underclocked ram and power supplies again his machine had the edge. Retested using a maplin supply to both machines i.e only difference was underclocked ram. Again feel that Nigels machine just had the edge.

The core server zuma with three independent supplies sounds really good.The difference is hard to measure exactly but reminds me of the difference that was discovered between streaming laptops and laptop to zuma streaming.

Many thanks to Nigel for bringing all his stuff over.

[Sligolad]

In case anyone needs the inf file and how to install the drivers for core server with the offending network cards here are dropbox links to instructions and modified inf file.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xx14hkrwqfedc ... 20Pack.doc

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fua9g31hxjh0uk4/e1c63x64.inf

[nige2000]

In case anyone needs the inf file and how to install the drivers for core server with the offending network cards here are dropbox links to instructions and modified inf file.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xx14hkrwqfedc ... 20Pack.doc

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fua9g31hxjh0uk4/e1c63x64.inf

theres server 2012 drivers here would they not work?:
http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-006120.htm

your instructions are good and clear anyway.

[nige2000]

Nige called today armed with his plethora of power supplies and WTG sticks. Core this gui that etc.

Had a good listen over the afternoon after spending a bit of time loading up another WTG stick with CAD script just to allow comparison tests between bought zuma's

Nigels has the edge. Running core with three independent power supplies to usb/chip and mobo with underclocked pc and underclocked ram. We couldn't get core to run on mine without going to the hassle of finding the inf file referenced by Pearse hence the reason to create a WTG to try and identify the reason for differences.

When tested again using the same operating system(WTG/Cad script) the only differences being Nigels underclocked ram and power supplies again his machine had the edge. Retested using a maplin supply to both machines i.e only difference was underclocked ram. Again feel that Nigels machine just had the edge.

The core server zuma with three independent supplies sounds really good.The difference is hard to measure exactly but reminds me of the difference that was discovered between streaming laptops and laptop to zuma streaming.

Many thanks to Nigel for bringing all his stuff over.

no probs great fun
im surprised Tony didnt close and lock the door when he seen me coming with the power supplies!!!!

we could have spent all week testing stuff

would have been better if we had core server on both machines but we thought we could run into time consuming problems trying to sort the ethernet drivers sorted, so we went with two win ent with cad script to have a level playing field.

i did not expect my new (asus) build to be a small bit better in sq when we were running just on single maplins as i thought they would sound identical, maybe to ram underclocking had something to do with it, but id doubt it would have that much influence.

we got tonys underclocked to 1.6 ghz same as mine, forgot about looking at ram settings on the intel, mine is set to 800

as always short on time
as there begin a few other things i would have liked to tried (kitting tony zuma out with power supplies)
but what we did test we made a reasonable job of it

i cant see where the next wave of advancement is coming from
downsizing of power supplies without loss in sq next on the agenda.

[Ken Moreland]

Sounds like a great day was had by all. Would you both rate Core Server 2012 a major advance on WTG with CAD script?

[tony]

Unfortunately Ken the answer is yes. I don't want to go into hyberbole about the improvement but I would consider it a good leap again.
At this stage I am very happy with the SQ I am getting and when Nigel takes away his equipment I can happily live with what I have got but
the effort in acquiring 1 maybe 2 more maplin supplies and separating out the electrical bits is a big improvement(very noticeable) for probably not more than a €100. Sure you would waste that and another 50 or 60 on a basic nordost power cable which if we are all being honest know it does nothing except introduce a blue colour into the scheme. Have to hear the wadia against that set up at some point as I reckon it is neck and neck now.

[nige2000]

Sounds like a great day was had by all. Would you both rate Core Server 2012 a major advance on WTG with CAD script?

was the first time i installed and heard the cad script w8 on wtg, its a good improvement but as far as im concerned core server 2012 with audiophils script on wtg is the new standard for the audio pc. and server 2012 with gui with script for control or single pc

i did have an ssd with core server on it but we didnt have time to test it, i still find the wtg more dynamic and with more punch

[sebna]

Now, I have to stop reading this thread ;) I wanted to postpone it but you got me intrigued and now I will probably not be able to help myself and will do my own 2012 core build this weekend.

BTW there is one important thing about CAD script. It has to be run in elevated command line or else it will apply only few percent of its content due to lack of required privileges. It is not enough to be logged into W8 as administrator. The command line has to be run as administrator (those are two different things).

If you still have GUI in your W8 the easiest way is to press widnows key + x on keyboard and select appropriate option from drop down for elevated command line and from there run the script.

If you run your w8 without explorer shell / GUI the way to do it is to open task manager and while pressing and holding ctrl button click on run new task and then type in cmd and run the script.

Just in case you dont know about all above as you may think you had applied CAD script while in fact you have not.

Good luck

[nige2000]

yes we ran the script as admin

[sebna]

That is good to hear that you did it from elevated CMD :)